Combined pitchfork and shovel



Patented Sept. 27, |898.

G. D. BELDIN.

COMBINED PITCHFDRK AND SHDVEL.

(Application filed Mar. 5', 1898.;

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE- GEORGE D. BELDIN, OF MARENGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED PITCHFORK AND SHOVEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,312, dated September 27, 1898.

Application filed March 5, 1898. Serial No. 672,79'7. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE D. BELDIN, a citizen of the United States, residing atMarengo, in the county of McHenry and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Fork and Shovel; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has for its object to provide a simple and effective device that is capable of use either as a fork or a shovel, as circumstances may require, which object is attained by the construction substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective View showing the shovel-blade in position for use, the fork being under the same and the tangs thereof shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section showing the shovel-blade thrown over in position to be out of the way when the fork is to be used, the shovel-blade when in position shown in Fig. l being indicated by dotted lines.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the fork, and B the shovel-blade, both of which may be of any form or construction found best adapted to the purpose.

The blade B is hinged in any well-known manner to the heel or rear portion of the fork A to enable it to be thrown back out of the way when the fork is to be brought into use,

as shown in full lines of Fig. 2 of the draw-v adapted to work in the hollow shank d of the fork and has a pin e extending through a slot f in the shank, by which means the latch may be operated by the fingers to release it from the notch in the ring O. A coiled spring g Any suitable spring-actuated latch may be substituted for that shown, so long as it will effectively engage the notches in the guide and locking-ring to hold the shovel-blade in the two positions `herein described.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings the shovel-blade is shown in position for use, the spring-actuated latch engaging the notch bin the ring C, which holds the blade perfectly rigid and secure. When it is desired to use the fork, the latch is released from the notch by pressing back on the pin e, which will allow the shovel-blade to be brought into position, as indicated in full lines of Fig. 2 of the drawings, the latch automatically engaging the notch c of the ring C, which holds the blade securely in position out of the way of the fork.

The latch, as will be understood, in both instances automatically engages. with the notches in the ring as the notches are brought in line with the latch, but in releasing the latch it has to be accomplished by pressing back on the pin c. f

A very simple and effective device combining the two elements of a fork and shovel is provided that will possess the requisite strength and durability in garden or agricultural use and that can be manufactured and placed upon the. market at a comparatively small cost.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A fork and a shovel hinged thereto, a notched device rigidly connected to the shovel and adapted to move therewith, and a springactuated latch adapted to engage the notched device to hold the shovel-blade in the two positions, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. l

2,. A fork, a shoveleblade hinged thereto, a notched guide and locking-ring upon the4 blade and movable therewith, and a spring- IOC) the ring, a pin extending from the latch lo through a slot in the shank, and a spring A hearing upon the rear end of the latch to hold it in engagement with the notch in the ring,

substantially as and for the purpose specified.

GEORGE D. BELDIN.

Vitnesses:

J. M. EBY, W. S. ESHBAUGH. 

